Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:1-27 . To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.

3. father's son--emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1 Chronicles 22:7 , 29:1 ); an idea further expressed by only beloved--or, "as an only son" ( Genesis 22:2 ), though he had

4. He taught--or directed me. retain--as well as receive. keep . . . and live--observe, that you may live ( Proverbs 7:2 ).

5. Get--as a possession not to be given up. neither decline--that is, from obeying my word.

6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.

8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor. embrace her--with fond affection.

9. ornament--such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors. deliver--(Compare Genesis 14:20 ). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor(compare Proverbs 4:6 ).

14. (Compare Psalms 1:1 ). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.

16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted ( Proverbs 6:4 , Psalms 36:5 ). They live by flagrant vices ( Proverbs 1:13 ). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16 , 34:7 ).

18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.

23. with all diligence--or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Ezekiel 38:7 ), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character ( Matthew 12:35 , 15:19 ).